LIVERPOOL loan signing Nuri Sahin has revealed how former Reds midielder Xabi Alonso convinced him to make the move to Anfield.

LIVERPOOL loan signing Nuri Sahin has revealed how former Reds midielder Xabi Alonso convinced him to make the move to Anfield.

The 23-year-old Turkey international, who completed his season-long switch from Real Madrid on Saturday, took advice from his Bernabeu team-mate before agreeing to the deal.

“I spoke with Xabi lots of times,” said Sahin.

“When he heard Liverpool were interested in me, he started telling me about Liverpool. He is still in love with Liverpool Football Club. It's crazy how he was telling me about Liverpool.

“He was saying 'go there, you will love it. The fans will take care of you and love you' and things like that.

“He said Anfield is the best stadium in the world. Xabi won a lot of trophies here, and hopefully we can do that too.”

Sahin won't be involved in today's Premier League game against Manchester City but will get his first taste of the Anfield atmosphere.

“I am looking forward to watching the game,” he said.

“I have heard so many good things about Anfield. I come from a very big club, Borussia Dortmund, and there we also had very big crowds. Madrid also has a huge stadium.

“I am looking forward to Anfield because everyone says it is the best stadium in the world.”

Sahin is relishing the prospect of playing for Brendan Rodgers after the ringing endorsement the Reds boss received from Madrid manager Jose Mourinho.

“Mourinho told me that English football, especially the Premier League, is the best to enjoy as a footballer,” he said.

“He also told me about how he and Brendan Rodgers worked together at Chelsea and that he's a good coach and person. That's important for me. It's not only football, it was very important for me to have someone who I can speak with.

“Brendan has told me about his ideas for how he wants to play football and where he sees me on the field in the team. I was impressed at how he loves football.”

Sahin has been handed the No 4 shirt, which was previously worn by Raul Meireles, and is desperate to kick-start his career after a frustrating first season at Real Madrid following his £8million switch from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

“I had three injuries last year and I didn't play too many games,” he said.

“That's why I spoke to Real Madrid and told them I wanted to go out for a year. I want to play football and it was important for me to be at a club where the manager really wants me.

“I wanted to play for a club on the same level as Dortmund and Madrid - that's why I chose Liverpool.

“This year, it is very important for me to play. I have to play, improve my game and help the team.

“If I stay in good condition, I am sure I can help the team and Liverpool Football Club, and Brendan Rodgers and my new team-mates can help me.

“Steven Gerrard is a huge name, not only in Liverpool but in world football and I am looking forward to playing with him.”

Sahin will become the first Turk to play for the Reds and has set his sights on helping the club qualify for the Champions League this season.

“I am a central midfielder who loves to have the ball,” he said.

“I'm not the type of player who dribbles past three or four players and then shoots at goal. I'm more of a tactical and technical player. I like to organise, I love it when my team is tactically at a very high level, can play one or two-touch football.

“I am happy to be here and I hope it will be a nice year with trophies. A club like Liverpool has to be playing in the Champions League, so we will go for the top four.

“We also have the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League and I hope at the end of the season we are holding something in our hands.”

Sahin was in Istanbul's Ataturk Stadium when skipper Steven Gerrard lifted the European Cup aloft back in 2005.

“That year I won the European U17 Championship with Turkey, so we were invited by the Turkish Football Federation to watch the game,” he added.

"We were sitting near to where the Liverpool fans were and it was just a crazy night. It was then I saw what football and Liverpool Football Club means to the people.

“I know it is a very big club with a huge history, with big players and big trophies.”

Sahin became Rodgers' fourth signing of the summer following Fabio Borini, Joe Allen and Oussama Assaidi.

“We are delighted to welcome Nuri to Liverpool and also to say thank you to Real Madrid for loaning us such an exciting talent,” said Rodgers.

“Nuri Sahin is a player with great technique and motivation and someone who will fit in smoothly to our playing model.

“We welcome Nuri into the Liverpool family and wish him good luck in his efforts to make us successful in our future.”